What did you do on your layout today?

Been installing a lot of LEDs. Mostly class/marker lights on select locomotives. I've resisted the urge to install green marker/class lights on any of my freight locos because I know that in the real world they're meaningless but all my MTH premier diesels startup  with those green marker lights on by default and darnit - they look kinda cool. Finally I decided to go for it with my Williams shark but I also provided a micro toggle switch to turn them on and off. This Williams shark also features a fixed pilot and Kadee coupler.
I also added red marker lights to the trailing dummy A unit. This is a look I like and by golly, it's *my railroad* anyway! 

What size & shape LEDs did you use?

Jushavnfun your accessories look great!

Ralph your lights on the sharks  looks great!  Nice addition of the switch 

Bryan in Ohio posted:

First group of shelves was getting filled up so had the choice of buying no more trains or building more shelves.  You can see what won out.  Also got the grass sections of my baseball field down. 

Of course, the only logical solution is to create more room for more trains!  Duh!

Dave

modeltrainsparts posted:

What size & shape LEDs did you use?

2mm tower

Thanks for all the positive feedback on my summit and taconite plant construction.  I’m quite please with the results.  Its existence was never envisioned in my original layout design.  It kind of evolved over time during construction, something I think we all go through during the building process.  We start with a basic concept and a set of parameters and then as space constraints and reality sets in, we make adjustments and alterations to fit real time and space.  It is interesting to analyze the evolution of a layout.   It becomes a set of problems and solutions and that’s what keeps this hobby so fresh and challenging for me.   I am sure I am not alone. 

Dave

Then:

Now:

Dave

Man Dave if it wasn't for the bridge I wouldn't even think it was the same layout! Great work!

Bryan, both projects are looking good. I am sure by the next York those new shelves will be filled and you will be adding more. BEARDOG, I am taking your advice and going with a different wood and also a more creosote look. Thanks Paul

Paul, at the risk of wearing out my welcome, the timbers you have look like they

are 3/4 x 3/4 which would be 3 foot square in real life which honestly doesn't exist. I would suggest 1/4 x1/4 which

would be 12 x 12 in real life. Much more fitting with the realism of the rest of your 

layout. Keep up the good work. Just a couple of ideas I found on the net

John

ok, final suggestion. Just remembering things from past layouts.  It appears you are pretty well equipped tool

wise. cut a bunch of poplar or birch or basswood into 1/4 inch square strips. Put a package of black RIT

cloth dye in water in some kind of long container, soak the wood in it for a couple of days. 

Dry them on some newspaper for a day or two. Instant creosote look. This also works great for

making homemade ties.  Good luck. 

No risk at all BEARDOG. That is what is great about this forum. The wealth of information and help. Thanks for those pics.  Paul

Added a gondola and GP9 black widow for motive power to the M.o.W train.  Starting to shape up a little bit.

Beardog/John, IMO, you explained yourself especially well with those three photos and the measurements rationale. Your succinct explanation can serve as a guide for many of us modelers who give considered importance to trying to make things on our layouts look as realistic as possible. Thanks for all that.

You might agree with the proportions I am showing here for use of such timbers among my work...

Paul, I'm hoping you might find these photos of interest to you, too.

FrankM

Paul- I've been using 1/4" balsa for retaining walls. If you want to distress it just beat it up with almost any hard object. Do it before staining as the wood will take the stain differently in the distressed areas.

I made this coal bin with various size pieces of balsa.

Bob

This wall was painted but it's all 1/4" pieces.

Today I got my packages of Korber building flats from Mr Muffin. I laid them out in no particular order just to get an idea. I now see I have to order some more. Didn't quite order enough. Along the one wall I mixed them with some Angie's track side flats. Pics..... ....Paul

Parking lot lights and traffic signals are in. The last of the electrical work is done. I'll have to close up the open space on the back and one side below the downtown area. I need to add some more parking lines as well. Then on to people, details, and a few more cars and trucks.

Just finished the control panel so that I can run trains in DCC or DC. It only took about 45 minutes, but we went railfanning for five hours so of course I had to do it later in the day. 

Ran trains for about 20 minutes.  Changed out Pennsy passenger train ( leaving GG -1 number 4876 on the point) for a REA train with three 60 ft. reffers and two baggage cars.   Had fun!!

He's at it again...Used a blinking LED to simulate a MARS light on this C&O E7 from Williams.
I located it on top based on old film I'd seen where this mounting seemed most common - whatever, that's where I put mine  (!) Thinking ahead, I realized that the "blinking-light-supposed-to-be-a-MARS-light" thing might get old at some point so I provided an on/off switch for it.

Video:

-RM

Looks great, Ralph!!

NS6770Fan posted:

Just finished the control panel so that I can run trains in DCC or DC. It only took about 45 minutes, but we went railfanning for five hours so of course I had to do it later in the day. 

NS6770,

Is your layout 2 Rail?

Dave

I finally started up again.

a couple of days of getting 3 semi hollow doors with homosote up and fastened. My former layout which was sold with all the trains and accessories has been on my mind since 2006. It was a good feeling To get this preliminary foundation stuff done.

sorry for the fuzzy photo.

laid out some of my freshly altered,  cut 022 switches to fit a hollow door layout with tubular track and 031 curves.

made good use of the weekend thus far. 

Going to fit some track on table number two now.

more installments to come. No more procrastination. Some layout (revisited) is more fun then none.

Leroof

I finally started up again.

a couple of days of getting 3 semi hollow doors with homosote up and fastened. My former layout which was sold with all the trains and accessories has been on my mind since 2006. It was a good feeling To get this preliminary foundation stuff done.

sorry for the fuzzy photo.

laid out some of my freshly altered,  cut 022 switches to fit a hollow door layout with tubular track and 031 curves.

made good use of the weekend thus far. 

Going to fit some track on table number two now.

more installments to come. No more procrastination. Some layout (revisited) is more fun then none.

Leroof

Looks like cutting some rail to custom fit will be next.

Leroof, It is good to see someone else who has been without a layout for a while get a good start on one!  Looks like easy cuts, then some wires, and then trains can roll!!

Mark, my former layout is in the process of being reborn.

However, I will alter the  original former plan in table number three. I am getting excited now.

Accessories, plasticville and trains are standby.

Leroof posted:

Mark, my former layout is in the process of being reborn.

However, I will alter the  original former plan in table number three. I am getting excited now.

 

 

Ah ha!  Now I understand.

Got the last thing wired back in after the downtown/passenger terminal redo: the signals. I also covered the gap below the downtown area (where all the wiring is hidden). 

I know I am not going to get everyone, with having 286 emails to go threw but here is a shot.

Ralph, Love the flashing light! Great idea with the on / off switch!

Paul, the building flats look great ! They should blend right in once your done with them!

Lou, You layout sure is coming to life! Love all the lights, keep up the great work!

Leroof, welcome back! Looks like you have a wonderful start! Please keep posting as you go along!

As for me nothing train related this weekend, I had to work at the family store helping the wife, then time for the grandkids. By the end of the night I was done!

Just for your enjoyment a picture of my weekend!

returning cattle cars to the stockyard....

Looks like fun! You sure have a great looking layout, every picture is a new adventure!

mike g. posted:

Looks like fun! You sure have a great looking layout, every picture is a new adventure!

Thanks Mike!

Mike, the store looks like a happening place!  Out near the wTer, I take it?  It looks like it’s in a location I would just like to pull up an Adirondack chair and enjoy the outdoors!!  

Mark Boyce posted:

Mike, the store looks like a happening place!  Out near the wTer, I take it?  It looks like it’s in a location I would just like to pull up an Adirondack chair and enjoy the outdoors!!  

Yep Mark, right next to the water! The old cars are from the guys that come in every morning for coffee! The blue dot is where the store is located!

Great Mike!!  I’m ready; as soon as we get all the family obligations taken care of.  That might be 10 years from now!  I think they will all outlive us!  ;-)

mike g. posted:

I know I am not going to get everyone, with having 286 emails to go threw but here is a shot.

Ralph, Love the flashing light! Great idea with the on / off switch!

Paul, the building flats look great ! They should blend right in once your done with them!

Lou, You layout sure is coming to life! Love all the lights, keep up the great work!

Leroof, welcome back! Looks like you have a wonderful start! Please keep posting as you go along!

As for me nothing train related this weekend, I had to work at the family store helping the wife, then time for the grandkids. By the end of the night I was done!

Just for your enjoyment a picture of my weekend!

Are you sure this place exists?  It looks like some of your excellent modeling.  Too bad that you had to work.  It also looks like a nice place to hang out.  Great cars too!

No fun days yet. Yard work is still king. Over the weekend though I managed to place an order with Scenic Express. And after my building flats arrived I place another order with Mr Muffin for more building flats. And off the Bay I found another Weaver flat car with trailer and a pair of die cast Weaver trucks and couplers. Waiting for this stuff to get here. Mike, hope you find some inexpensive dimmable  lighting.  And I am with Mark. I would have no problem sitting in front of the store in a nice comfortable Adirondack chair. GANDYDANCER1950, nice scene...........Paul